The United States Department of Justice has announced federal charges against a California man for allegedly transmitting threats to a resident of Langley, British Columbia. The case highlights a complex, cross-border investigation involving the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Details of the Alleged Threats
Jasmeet Singh, a 30-year-old Indian national residing in Fresno, California, is charged with one count of transmitting threats to injure another person. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the threats are connected to a resident of Langley, B.C.
The investigation began in May 2024 when the Langley resident contacted the RCMP to report receiving threatening phone calls from an unknown number. The RCMP identified Singh as a suspect and subsequently reached out to the FBI for assistance.
Connection to Past Events and Bishnoi Gang
Court documents reveal that the threats are believed to be linked to the victim's prior cooperation with law enforcement in India. In July 2022, while in India, the victim was allegedly targeted in a blackmail scheme. A woman and an associate threatened to make false rape allegations unless money was paid. The victim documented these threats and assisted Indian police in a sting operation, leading to the arrest of the two individuals.
Following those arrests, the victim began receiving threats, with at least one call in November 2023 allegedly identifying the threats as coming from the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has associates in both India and North America. Due to the ongoing threats, the victim relocated to Canada in January 2024.
The Day of the WhatsApp Threats
The situation escalated on May 27, 2024, the same day Indian police formally charged the woman and her associate. On that date, the victim received a series of threatening calls via WhatsApp, allegedly from Singh.
"Singh sent the victim a picture of the victim’s car in front of the victim’s residence, told the victim he knew the victim’s daily habits, including the type of coffee the victim drank, and that the victim could not run because Singh and his associates would kill him/her," stated the U.S. Attorney's Office.
In total, ten calls were made to the victim between 3:46 a.m. and 5:55 p.m. that day. The victim answered only some of the calls but managed to record at least four of the threatening messages, which were later provided to police.
Arrest and Potential Penalties
Following the lengthy international investigation, Jasmeet Singh was arrested by the FBI. He currently remains in custody awaiting trial. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in combating transnational extortion schemes and the collaborative efforts required between agencies in different countries to address threats targeting Canadian residents from abroad.
